Patents by Inventor James G. Ballard
James G. Ballard has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).
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Publication number: 20240131604Abstract: A hydraulic power tool includes a housing defining a cylinder, a piston at least partially positioned within the cylinder and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a clevis supporting a head of the power tool, a nut coupled to an outer peripheral surface of the clevis, and a collar coupled to the housing and surrounding the nut to axially constrain the nut between the collar and the housing while permitting relative rotation between the collar and the nut.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 5, 2023Publication date: April 25, 2024Inventors: Sean T. Kehoe, James G. Ballard, Marc S. D'Antuono
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Patent number: 11964510Abstract: A writing implement is configured to dispense material onto a work surface. The writing implement includes a body having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface. The writing implement also includes a nib coupled to the first end. The nib is configured to allow the material to be dispensed onto the work piece. The writing implement further includes a pressure regulating assembly coupled to the body. The pressure regulating assembly and the inner surface define a cavity configured to hold the material. The pressure regulating assembly is moveable relative to the body in response to a pressure change within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: December 6, 2022Date of Patent: April 23, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventor: James G. Ballard
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Patent number: 11958177Abstract: A hydraulic pump includes a work port, a high-flow piston, multiple high-pressure pistons, and an unloading valve. The work port couples to a fluid supply line of a hydraulic tool. The high-flow piston supplies fluid along a first flow path to the work port. The high-pressure pistons supply fluid along a second flow path to the work port. The unloading valve is fluidly coupled to the first flow path and the second flow path, and actuatable between an open state and a closed state. The unloading valve is configured to (i) permit fluid to flow from the high-flow piston to the work port in the open state, (ii) inhibit fluid from flowing from the high-flow piston to the work port in the closed state, and (iii) actuate from the open state to the closed state when a pressure of the fluid in the second flow path exceeds a threshold pressure.Type: GrantFiled: September 9, 2019Date of Patent: April 16, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: James G. Ballard, Timothy Radtke, Daniel Garces, Ian C. Zimmermann
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Publication number: 20240091924Abstract: An example hydraulic tool includes: a fluid reservoir; a pump; an electric motor; a cylinder; a piston; a first trigger button; a second trigger button; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 28, 2023Publication date: March 21, 2024Inventors: Eric D. Norquist, James G. Ballard, Kris J. Kanack, Luke J. Skinner, Robert Jensen, Marc S. D'Antuono, Peter Davies
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Patent number: 11878402Abstract: An example hydraulic tool includes: a fluid reservoir; a pump; an electric motor; a cylinder; a piston; a first trigger button; a second trigger button; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.Type: GrantFiled: January 17, 2020Date of Patent: January 23, 2024Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Eric D. Norquist, James G. Ballard, Kris J. Kanack, Luke J. Skinner, Robert Jensen, Marc S. D'Antuono, Peter Davies
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Patent number: 11833597Abstract: A hydraulic power tool includes a housing defining a cylinder, a piston at least partially positioned within the cylinder and movable between a retracted position and an extended position, a clevis supporting a head of the power tool, a nut coupled to an outer peripheral surface of the clevis, and a collar coupled to the housing and surrounding the nut to axially constrain the nut between the collar and the housing while permitting relative rotation between the collar and the nut.Type: GrantFiled: January 24, 2019Date of Patent: December 5, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Sean T. Kehoe, James G. Ballard, Marc S. D'Antuono
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Publication number: 20230191581Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a hydraulic tool including a hydraulic actuator cylinder, a piston, a fluid reservoir, a pump, a regeneration check valve, and a pilot-operated valve. The regeneration check valve is disposed in a regenerative extension fluid path that fluidly couples a first and second chamber of the hydraulic actuator cylinder. The pilot-operated valve is disposed in a power extension fluid path that fluidly couples the second chamber to a fluid reservoir.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 3, 2020Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventor: James G. Ballard
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Publication number: 20230191582Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a ram assembly for a hydraulic tool. The ram assembly includes a ram piston having a ram cavity. The ram piston receives a hydraulic pressure reaction force. The ram assembly further includes an overload assembly disposed in the ram cavity or in a cavity defined by a manifold. The overload assembly includes a burst disc positioned at a first end of the ram cavity or manifold, a lock nut positioned at a second end of the ram cavity or manifold, and a spacer positioned between the burst disc and the lock nut. The spacer transfers a supporting force applied to the lock nut to the burst disc. The hydraulic pressure reaction force and the supporting force both act in the same direction, and thus, are additive forces acting on the burst disk.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 28, 2020Publication date: June 22, 2023Inventors: James G. Ballard, James O. Myrhum, Jr.
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Publication number: 20230102068Abstract: A writing implement is configured to dispense material onto a work surface. The writing implement includes a body having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface. The writing implement also includes a nib coupled to the first end. The nib is configured to allow the material to be dispensed onto the work piece. The writing implement further includes a pressure regulating assembly coupled to the body. The pressure regulating assembly and the inner surface define a cavity configured to hold the material. The pressure regulating assembly is moveable relative to the body in response to a pressure change within the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 6, 2022Publication date: March 30, 2023Inventor: James G. Ballard
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Publication number: 20230093786Abstract: A hydraulic pump includes a work port, a high-flow piston, multiple high-pressure pistons, and an unloading valve. The work port couples to a fluid supply line of a hydraulic tool. The high-flow piston supplies fluid along a first flow path to the work port. The high-pressure pistons supply fluid along a second flow path to the work port. The unloading valve is fluidly coupled to the first flow path and the second flow path, and actuatable between an open state and a closed state. The unloading valve is configured to (i) permit fluid to flow from the high-flow piston to the work port in the open state, (ii) inhibit fluid from flowing from the high-flow piston to the work port in the closed state, and (iii) actuate from the open state to the closed state when a pressure of the fluid in the second flow path exceeds a threshold pressure.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 9, 2019Publication date: March 23, 2023Inventors: James G. Ballard, Timothy Radtke, Daniel Garces, Ian C. Zimmermann
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Patent number: 11597070Abstract: A working head for a hydraulic power tool including a head frame and a first moveable die head configured to move along the working head frame. The first moveable die head configured to receive a first moveable die comprising a first body length. A second die head is adapted to receive a second die comprising a second body length. The first body length of the moveable die is different from the second body length of the stationary die.Type: GrantFiled: December 21, 2021Date of Patent: March 7, 2023Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Jonathan Koski, Troy Marks, Eric Norquist, James G. Ballard, Kris J. Kanack
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Publication number: 20230046222Abstract: A hydraulic tool can include a hydraulic cylinder, a piston within the hydraulic cylinder, and a rotary valve. The piston can be configured to move between a retracted position and an extended position. The piston can include a piston ram and a piston rod that define a ram side and a rod side inside the hydraulic cylinder. The rotary valve can be moved between a first position and a second position. The first position can be configured to direct flow at a first variable speed and a first variable force to the ram side of the hydraulic cylinder and the second position can be configured to direct flow at a second variable speed and a second variable force to the rod side of the hydraulic cylinder.Type: ApplicationFiled: August 11, 2022Publication date: February 16, 2023Inventors: James G. Ballard, Benjamin J. Tretow
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Patent number: 11524517Abstract: A writing implement is configured to dispense material onto a work surface. The writing implement includes a body having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface. The writing implement also includes a nib coupled to the first end. The nib is configured to allow the material to be dispensed onto the work piece. The writing implement further includes a pressure regulating assembly coupled to the body. The pressure regulating assembly and the inner surface define a cavity configured to hold the material. The pressure regulating assembly is moveable relative to the body in response to a pressure change within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: September 29, 2021Date of Patent: December 13, 2022Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventor: James G. Ballard
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Publication number: 20220226979Abstract: A hydraulic tool includes a tool head and a moveable piston coupled to the tool head. The hydraulic tool head includes a plurality of jaws, which are operable to open and close for performing work on a workpiece. The hydraulic tool also includes a motor operable to drive the moveable piston to close the plurality of jaws to a closed position at which the work on the workpiece is completed. The hydraulic tool further includes a position sensor configured to detect when the plurality of jaws are at the closed position and responsively generate a sensor signal indicating that the plurality of jaws are at the closed position. Additionally, the hydraulic tool includes a controller configured to receive the sensor signal from the position sensor. The controller is configured to operate the motor based on the sensor signal that the controller receives from the position sensor.Type: ApplicationFiled: April 5, 2022Publication date: July 21, 2022Inventors: Luke J. Skinner, Kris J. Kanack, James G. Ballard, David R. Bauer, Troy A. Marks, Marc S. D'Antuono, Paige L. Bovard, Eric Norquist
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Publication number: 20220143674Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide a die retainer for use in a tool. The die retainer can include a ram head, a release button, and a die pin. The ram head includes a die cavity and a pair of lateral sides on opposing sides of the die cavity. The release button can extend through a release button hole formed in the ram head hand include opposing ends that extend past each of the corresponding pair of lateral sides. The die pin extends through a die pin cavity that intersects the release button hole. The die release button can be actuatable from either of the opposing ends to retract the die pin from the die cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: November 8, 2021Publication date: May 12, 2022Inventors: Mathew R. Rentmeester, James G. Ballard, Matthew Jensen
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Publication number: 20220111505Abstract: A working head for a hydraulic power tool including a head frame and a first moveable die head configured to move along the working head frame. The first moveable die head configured to receive a first moveable die comprising a first body length. A second die head is adapted to receive a second die comprising a second body length. The first body length of the moveable die is different from the second body length of the stationary die.Type: ApplicationFiled: December 21, 2021Publication date: April 14, 2022Inventors: Jonathan Koski, Troy Marks, Eric Norquist, James G. Ballard, Kris J. Kanack
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Patent number: 11292118Abstract: A hydraulic tool includes a tool head and a moveable piston coupled to the tool head. The hydraulic tool head includes a plurality of jaws, which are operable to open and close for performing work on a workpiece. The hydraulic tool also includes a motor operable to drive the moveable piston to close the plurality of jaws to a closed position at which the work on the workpiece is completed. The hydraulic tool further includes a position sensor configured to detect when the plurality of jaws are at the closed position and responsively generate a sensor signal indicating that the plurality of jaws are at the closed position. Additionally, the hydraulic tool includes a controller configured to receive the sensor signal from the position sensor. The controller is configured to operate the motor based on the sensor signal that the controller receives from the position sensor.Type: GrantFiled: January 29, 2019Date of Patent: April 5, 2022Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventors: Luke J. Skinner, Kris J. Kanack, James G. Ballard, David R. Bauer, Troy A. Marks, Marc S. D'Antuono, Paige L. Bovard, Eric Norquist
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Publication number: 20220016925Abstract: A writing implement is configured to dispense material onto a work surface. The writing implement includes a body having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface. The writing implement also includes a nib coupled to the first end. The nib is configured to allow the material to be dispensed onto the work piece. The writing implement further includes a pressure regulating assembly coupled to the body. The pressure regulating assembly and the inner surface define a cavity configured to hold the material. The pressure regulating assembly is moveable relative to the body in response to a pressure change within the cavity.Type: ApplicationFiled: September 29, 2021Publication date: January 20, 2022Inventor: James G. Ballard
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Patent number: 11148461Abstract: A writing implement is configured to dispense material onto a work surface. The writing implement includes a body having a first end, a second end, and an inner surface. The writing implement also includes a nib coupled to the first end. The nib is configured to allow the material to be dispensed onto the work piece. The writing implement further includes a pressure regulating assembly coupled to the body. The pressure regulating assembly and the inner surface define a cavity configured to hold the material. The pressure regulating assembly is moveable relative to the body in response to a pressure change within the cavity.Type: GrantFiled: February 18, 2020Date of Patent: October 19, 2021Assignee: Milwaukee Electric Tool CorporationInventor: James G. Ballard
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Publication number: 20200298388Abstract: An example hydraulic tool includes: a fluid reservoir; a pump; an electric motor; a cylinder; a piston; a first trigger button; a second trigger button; and a controller configured to perform operations comprising: receiving a first signal when the first trigger button is triggered, responsively, causing the electric motor to rotate in a first rotational direction, thereby: (i) causing the pump to provide fluid to the cylinder, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a first linear direction, thereafter, receiving a second signal when the second trigger button is triggered, and responsively to the second signal, causing the electric motor to rotate in a second rotational direction opposite the first rotational direction, thereby: (i) opening a fluid path from the cylinder to the fluid reservoir, and (ii) causing the piston to move in a second linear direction opposite the first linear direction.Type: ApplicationFiled: January 17, 2020Publication date: September 24, 2020Inventors: Eric D. Norquist, James G. Ballard, Kris J. Kanack, Luke J. Skinner, Robert Jensen, Marc S. D'Antuono, Peter Davies